RMC, I've found the V.B. guns to be very reliable and "stylish enough." Haven't had much use for the 12, but have used the heck out of the 20, with good results on grouse and cottontails and the occasional woodcock and ringneck. Only tried 3" steel in it once--ow! Now that I'm in CA, I'll try it on CA quail if the cover is tight (my 20 is choked C/IC or Skeet1/2, not sure which). In the open spaces I do better with a longer barrelled gun; either my unc's NID 16 or an old Beretta hammer 16 I got in Italy some years ago.
I'm "smitten by the vintage SxS thing" all right but have never had the $$ to do it right, so have misspent my life with field grade, well-thumbed American doubles and "Eurotrash" like these VBs.
What a tough row to hoe! A dirty job, but someone's got to do it? I'm sure SOMEBODY must feel sorry for me.....heck, I paid almost $600 for my VBs (EACH!).
Have fun with your VBs; thanks for the answer!
